Sri Lanka is preparing for one of the biggest transformations in its education history, with the Government planning to connect all 10,000 schools across the country to the internet under a nationwide digitalisation programme aimed at reshaping learning opportunities.
The ambitious initiative will use a combination of fibre networks, 4G, 5G and satellite technology to ensure that students, regardless of location, gain access to digital resources. Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister A.B.M. Ashraf said the move was designed to close the digital divide that has long separated urban schools from those in remote communities.
Speaking at a ceremony where 50 Lenovo laptops were presented to high-performing Advanced Level students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, Ashraf said digital connectivity had become essential for modern education.
“In a digital world, without digitalising and connecting our schools, we risk becoming digitally illiterate,” he warned, highlighting the urgency of bringing technology into every classroom.
The Government’s plan follows the establishment of a Task Force on Digital Transformation in Education, which has been working with private companies, academic institutions and professional bodies to create a national strategy for technology-based education.
Under the proposed programme, schools located in areas where commercial fibre services are available will receive fibre connections. However, thousands of schools in difficult-to-reach regions will depend on wireless technologies such as 4G, 5G and satellite connectivity.
A major challenge remains the lack of basic computer facilities in many schools. According to Ashraf, more than 1,500 schools, mostly in rural and underserved areas, still do not have computer laboratories. These institutions will receive priority attention, with plans to provide computer labs to every secondary school currently without one next year.
The Government has already taken steps to expand digital access. Ashraf said every one of Sri Lanka’s approximately 6,200 secondary schools now has at least one digital classroom, ending a previous situation where around 2,500 schools had no digital boards.
In addition, more than 500 secondary schools that lacked functioning computers received new equipment last year, while about 100 divisional education offices were also upgraded with working computer systems.
Beyond infrastructure, the digital transformation programme is introducing new management systems to improve efficiency within the education sector. All divisional, zonal and provincial education offices have now been connected to a national digital network, while the Education Management Information System has already been implemented.
Teacher management systems are being introduced across all nine provinces, allowing online handling of transfers, leave applications and personnel records. A Student Information System is also expected to begin operations by the end of this year, enabling online attendance monitoring from mid-next year.
The Government’s wider vision includes introducing a Learning Management System for students from Grades 6 to 13. Around 1,000 schools are expected to use the platform by the end of this year, with all 6,000 secondary schools expected to join by the end of next year.
Despite economic difficulties, Ashraf said investment in education remains a national priority. He stressed that Sri Lanka’s future depends on developing a digitally capable younger generation.
With support from technology partners such as Lenovo and local organisations, the Government hopes the initiative will not only provide equipment but also create a generation of students capable of innovation, creativity and participation in the digital economy.
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